Acne During Pregnancy
Sometimes acne improves during pregnancy. Sometimes it can worsen. However, there are limited options for treatment of acne during pregnancy, and some of these options are prescription-only medicines.
Main Treatments
• azelaic acid 20% cream (rx only)
• clindamycin lotion (rx only)
• Use sulfur-based soap without salicylic acid when cleansing
• If very oily, use lactic-acid-based anti-acne toner
• clindamycin lotion (rx only)
• Use sulfur-based soap without salicylic acid when cleansing
• If very oily, use lactic-acid-based anti-acne toner
Skin Care
• Remove causative or exacerbating factors
• Use non-comedogenic sunscreen as needed
• Use moisturizer only if dry
• Use non-comedogenic sunscreen as needed
• Use moisturizer only if dry
Add ons
• For new zits, use pimple spot treatment
• For flat red or pink blemishes, use a blemish spot treatment
• For any raised scars, use scar spot treatment
• For flat red or pink blemishes, use a blemish spot treatment
• For any raised scars, use scar spot treatment
What to Avoid
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Salicylic acid
• Retinol and retinoids
• Tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline
• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
• Isotretinoin
• Spironolactone
• Birth control pills
• Salicylic acid
• Retinol and retinoids
• Tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline
• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
• Isotretinoin
• Spironolactone
• Birth control pills
Severe Acne During Pregnancy
For patients who are pregnant or looking to conceive with severe acne refractory to topical therapy, azithromycin is a good oral antibiotic. A typical dose would be 250 mg three times per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and isotretinoin are not safe choices, and other antibiotics such as erythromycin base or clindamycin can be used. However, erythromycin isn’t very effective for acne and comes with diarrhea as an adverse reaction. Because of the potential for antibiotic-induced diarrhea due to the bacteria Clostridium difficile, I do not recommend the use of the oral antibiotic clindamycin for acne; the risks of its use outweigh the benefits of its use.
Mild Acne - Moderate Acne - Severe (Cystic) Acne - Hormonal Acne - Acne During Pregnancy - Acne & Breastfeeding - Retinol - Anti-acne Cleanser - Anti-acne Toner - Benzoyl Peroxide - Zinc Monomethionine & Fish Oil - Pimple Spot Treatment - Blemish Treatment - Scar Treatment - Sunscreen - Moisturizer - Avoiding Exacerbators - Comedogenic Ingredient List - Azelaic Acid - Birth Control Pills - Clindamycin - Doxycycline - Isotretinoin - iPledge - Spironolactone - Minocycline - Bactrim (SMX/TMP)